The New Jersey Devils had a quiet February, playing a total of seven games. Right before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, they ended on a high note with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Montreal Canadiens. But as a whole, the team had a lackluster 3-4-0 record during February, finishing it off with a crushing 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.
But in spite of their recent pitfalls, there were still a few bright spots for the Devils. In the second installment of the “Three Stars of the Month” series for The Hockey Writers, here are a few players who went above and beyond throughout February.
Third Star: Nico Daws
Losing starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom was a crushing blow, but Nico Daws became an unlikely hero for the Devils. He made his first NHL appearance this season against the Buffalo Sabres, where he saved all seven shots faced after coming in to relieve Jake Allen.
Daws got the start for the following game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and rallied the team to a 3-2 shootout win. He earned a .926 save percentage (SV%) and even stopped Sidney Crosby in the shootout, which he later told the media is a moment he will never forget.
But Daws was far from finished. He took Music City by storm last Sunday, recording his first NHL shutout against the Nashville Predators. Leading the team to a 5-0 victory, Daws stopped all 29 shots and earned a career milestone all in one night.
Despite serving as a backup goaltender, Daws stopped 61 out of 63 shots faced. Likewise, he was exceptional in terms of stopping high-danger scoring chances. He made 15 high-danger saves around the crease, giving him a .938 high-danger SV%.
His performance allowed fans to breathe a temporary sigh of relief, and he certainly proved himself in the Devils’ time of need. As it stands, New Jersey still has some of the best goaltending in the league, with an average of 2.50 goals against per game.
Second Star: Jesper Bratt
Jesper Bratt remains a critical component of the Devils’ roster. Playing on the top line alongside Ondrej Palat and Jack Hughes, he has 68 points this season. Bratt earned nine assists throughout February, three of which were on the power play.
Offensively, Bratt has been a powerhouse all season long. According to MoneyPuck, he averages 3.62 points per 60 minutes of play, and his power-play skills cannot be understated. Bratt has a 91% Corsi in 5-on-4 situations, along with a 96.8% on-ice goals percentage. His speed also comes in handy for two-way play, as he ranks in the 95th percentile in skating distance.
Unsurprisingly, Bratt’s strong February performance carried over into the 4 Nations tournament. He had quite a few highlight-reel-worthy moments, including his game-winning goal for Team Sweden’s 2-1 victory over the United States. Bratt was named Player of the Game for his efforts.
Bratt leads the team with 51 assists. In fact, he just set the franchise record with a ten-game assist streak, a title previously held by Petr Sykora. At his current 93-point pace, Bratt will play a crucial role if the Devils advance to the postseason.
First Star: Jack Hughes
The Devils might’ve had a slow February, but Hughes has shown zero signs of slowing down anytime soon. He is currently ranked in the 99th percentile in shots on goal and the 98th in speed bursts over 20 miles per hour. For the second month in a row, Hughes is prime first-star material.
Hughes had nine points throughout the month and recorded 26 shots on goal. He scored seven goals in February, matching his 27-goal total from last season. He even managed to score his first career shorthanded goal against the Buffalo Sabres.
Then, during the 4 Nations Face-Off, he represented Team USA, grabbing one assist across four games. Prior to the tournament, head coach Sheldon Keefe commended Hughes for his puck possession, claiming that Hughes and Auston Matthews would be “something special” on a line together. While on Team USA, Hughes was praised for his two-way play and defensive awareness.
Hughes leads the Devils in both goals and points, and is currently on pace for a 94-point season. He’s also no stranger to being the driving force behind the team. Hughes scored the only goals against both the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche. Hughes is the epitome of star power, and there is no doubt he could lead the Devils to new heights in the playoffs.
Better Things to Come in March?
There’s no denying that the Devils have their work cut out for them in March. With the regular season winding down, the team must remain in a playoff position before time runs out. With so much talent on their roster, the only direction from here is upward.
